Weekly workout plan
Follow this workout plan to get moving and enjoy the benefits of exercise.

You probably know there are many benefits of exercise. Just 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week can help lower your cancer risk.
But even though you know the effort is worth it, starting a new exercise routine can be daunting. There are so many questions. Should you do cardio or weight training? How often? And for how long? We talked with our exercise physiologists about how to approach exercise if you are just starting out.
Follow this workout plan to get moving and enjoy the benefits of exercise. If you’re not sure how to do some of the exercises, check out the instructions and tips below the schedule. Here’s the basic outline of what you’ll be doing over the course of each week:
- Monday: Cardio and upper body weight training
- Tuesday: Circuit training
- Wednesday: Lower-body strength training
- Thursday: Cardio
- Friday: Cardio and core exercises
- Saturday and Sunday: Stay active
If you can’t complete all the suggested reps in this program, start by doing less. Then, add more over time. We’ve included advanced and basic options to help you tailor and improve your performance. And don’t skip the cardio. Getting your heart rate up is essential to reaping the benefits of exercise. The benefits of working out at a higher intensity include:
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Increased metabolism
- Improved aerobic fitness
Include some moderate activity to keep you from burning out or overdoing it. Remember, doing some exercise is better than doing none.
The first step to any workout routine is to evaluate how fit you are for your chosen physical activity. Whenever you begin an exercise program, it's wise to consult a doctor.